Thousands of workers at Disney’s theme parks and resorts across Southern California announced late Friday night that they had authorized a strike, citing allegations of unfair labor practices during recent contract negotiations.
4 unions The group, which represents more than 14,000 workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Disney-owned hotels, said its members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the strike after announcing the move, claiming Disney had committed hundreds of labor law violations that “prevented the union from receiving a fair contract for Cast Members.” They said 99 percent of the members who voted voted to authorize the strike, though the exact number was not disclosed.
“Today’s overwhelming unfair labor practices strike authorization vote sends a clear message to the company: We are stronger together, and we will not be divided by fear tactics,” the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement Friday. “We create the revenues of our theme parks and the magic that can be found throughout our resorts. But instead of rewarding our hard work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and illegally disciplining our members, undermining our ability to negotiate and get the contract we deserve.”
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The permit does not mean a strike will occur immediately and that the two sides can reach an agreement. If a strike does occur, it would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.
“We are tired of Disney’s pressure and are ready to fight back against its unfair labor practices,” David Hernandez, a negotiating committee member and monorail operator, said in a statement.
The union said it had been negotiating a new contract with Disney since April 24. Nearly two months later, on June 10, Disney workers announced they had filed unfair labor practices charges against the company. The charges, which involve more than 675 workers, are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
Ahead of the vote, hundreds of Disneyland employees protested outside the world-famous theme park on July 17, demanding higher wages and denouncing its anti-union practices.
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A Disneyland spokesperson told CBS News in a statement that a strike authorization is not unusual as part of the negotiation process, and the company looks forward to continuing discussions at upcoming meetings on Monday and Tuesday.
“We are incredibly grateful for the important role our Cast Members play in creating memorable experiences for our Guests, and we are committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation,” the spokesperson said, adding that the parks continue to welcome guests.
The four unions representing the workers are Baker, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Mills (BCTGM) Local 83, Service Employees International Union-US Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), Drivers Union Local 495, and United Food and Commercial Workers of America (UFCW) Local 324.
They said they were seeking fair wages, fair attendance policies, seniority-based pay increases, and safe parks for cast members. The union cited economic hardships for its members, including food and housing insecurity.
“Rather than rewarding our hard work and dedication, Disney threatens, monitors and illegally disciplines our members, undermining our ability to negotiate and secure the contracts we deserve,” the negotiating committee said.
Cast Member contracts at Disneyland expire on June 16, and employee contracts at Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney expire on September 30.
The negotiating committee has pledged to return to negotiations on Monday and Tuesday, but said it could call a strike at any time, subject to a strike permit.
